National Water Safety Week and Prescription Swimming Goggles on the radio.

By Michelle Sutton June 06, 2016

Our optician James this morning talked about National Water Safety Week (6th-10th June) and prescription goggles on the radio with the Swimming Teachers' Association. 

We commissioned a survey to find out a bit more about wearing glasses and how it affects swimmers. 

The results make for interesting reading. 

In our survey we discovered that: 

• 30% of people can’t swim or are not confident swimmers
• 2/3 of these say a they have a fear of water
• 1 in 10 say it’s because they wear glasses or not confident without them
• 65% of all people wear glasses
• 2/3 don’t wear any correction while swimming
• Half avoid swimming because of their glasses.

And finally; 

• 80% didn’t know prescription goggles exist.

Did You Know these facts from the STA? 

• Around 400 people drown in the UK every year (that’s one person every 20 hours, which could be your friend, relative or neighbour) and thousands more suffer because of near-drowning
• Shockingly, more people drowned in the UK in 2015 than died in a fire-related or drink-driving incidents
• Many people who drown are actually strong swimmers, so being aware of factors such as cold water shock and dangers that can lurk beneath the water are just as important as learning to swim
• Drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death of children in the UK.

As heard on BBC Radio 

Here is a great opportunity for us all to raise awareness of water safety and the benefits of prescription swimming goggles.

Expert advice

“As a pharmacist I see that keeping fit is important and am keen to promote the eye health and water safety benefits of prescription goggles and masks.”

Michelle Sutton (BPharm MRPharmS)
Founder of Prescription Swimming Goggles